Ah, that unsteady hope for success.
After much hard fighting, Hule has opened negotiations for a peace settlement.
The Rajahdhirajah accepted a one-day cessation of hostilities, and we met with a delegation of Hule forces. Our delegation included myself, my two bodyguards, Chandra Ul Nervi, two of Chandra's bodyguards, Melany, Gurzurk, Jokanna (who can communicate with Lord Garen), Leo (polymorphed as a hawk, and pretending to be Jokana's familiar), and one of the numerous generals we seem to have.
Meeting us were ten individuals, including warriors, a priest, and diplomats. One of the Rajahdhirajahs bodyguards indicated an unarmoured figure as Legion Slime Ball Vladsovic. A mage, as I understand matters.
Chandra and Vladsovic exchanged veiled insults for a while before we got down to business. Unfortunately, the business part didn't last too long, since Gurzurk managed to insult oh great and mighty slime face.
He left in a huff.
Gurzurk was rude. Melany subsequently insulted the Rajahdhirajah, quite unfairly I thought. She blatantly criticised him for accepting a daylong ceasefire. The Rajahdhirajah was not impressed, thought he didn't actually make a retort. I think his bodyguards were about to strangle Melany though. I rather like my Rajadhirajah.
I apologised in private to the Rajahdhirajah.
Chandra sent his own messenger, and negotiations were reopened. Gurzurk and Melany were not invited.
Chandra handled negotiations in the subsequent meeting. Camel-face was the one making the concessions. Several items were discussed:
In the meantime, there are to be no troop movements, on either side. Hule has agreed to not create any more undead.
A large number of minor details and clarifications were made.
A ceasefire and continuation of negotiations has been extended to include tomorrow.
It looks promising. But we aren't assuming success just yet. This could be an elaborate ruse on he part of Hule. We are keeping a close eye on their activities.
Gurzurk and Melany have failed to make any form of apology to the Rajahdhirajah for their behaviour. I am not impressed.
The negotiations have proceeded in a most pleasing manner!
They have agreed that in a week's time they will start making way toward Hule. The occupation of Sind is almost over.
An indefinite ceasefire has been agreed to. They will, as a goodwill gesture, move all Hule troops within Sayr Ulan to outside the walls.
We have agreed to not launch retaliatory attacks upon Hule proper. They must be concerned we could use our transport means to strike anywhere within Hule. They cannot promise that Hule will never consider attacking Sind again.
They have agreed to send us Kiritan Ul Nervi.
A number of minor terms and conditions have been agreed to. There are a lot of details to work out.
The Hulean forces have left the capital. They appear to be sincere! Yes!
There is much rejoicing within the city.
Now it is just a matter of time before they are all gone from Sind!
They have indicated that the orcs in the plain of fire are not under Hulean control. Gurzurk has since discovered that the orcs in the plain are getting very close to the fungus men. It is only a short time now before they encounter them. It will obviously result in there being plenty more fungus men, but the Graakhalians know how to deal with fungus men, and the orcs should learn soon enough to not bother the fungus people.
Ah, the bittersweet taste of victory.
Much has happened in the last while, not least of which is the evacuation of Hule forces from Sind. We are once again our own country. The Rajahdhirajah is once again ruler in name as well as deed.
There are still Huleans within Sind, and there will be for a while. Large numbers were scattered in our battles. They will be hunted and executed.
There have been celebrations across Sind.
Upon leaving, Hule has destroyed the fortifications on the border with Darokin.
Chandra has indicated he will be helping the Graakhalians. It is in Sinds best interest to have friendly neighbours, especially ones who can act as a buffer zone against Hule.
Apparently the priests of Garath were in the capital helping with healing and the like. We managed to have a nice chat with them.
Raneshwar in exile has been returned to the Mumlyket of Gunjab.
Chandra decided to visit his Mumlykets, with a few thousand of his close friends. Turia and I were allowed to accompany the Rajadhirajah. I maintained a very low-key presence. I'm trying to avoid the public eye. For some reason they seem to think I'm a hero (along with Chandra). They'll forget about me soon enough.
We first stopped off in Shajarkand. Chandra swept in, and when he left, Priya was a Rajah. The old Rajah was last seen headed away, naked. He is exiled. If he is seen again in Sind, even the meanest peasant can execute him with impunity. He was to be hung, but Rajah Priya asked for leniency, as he is her brother.
In Jalawar, the Chandra asked the Rajah where he was when he needed him.
In Putnabad, the Rajah was rebuked for a number of the things he did. The Rajah seemed surprised at what the Rajahdhirajah knew.
In Azdagal, the Rajah was cautiously thanked for fighting the Huleans, although the Rajah could have done better.
In Jhengal, it was made known that the Rajah has the favour of the Rajahdhirajah for valiantly fighting the Huleans against heavy odds. The Rajahdhirajah indicated he has some daughters available, should the Rajah be interested.
Unfortunately, the Rajah of Baratkand had magically fled. The coffers were emptied. His whereabouts are unknown. Chandra has publically made it known that the man who brings him the head of the ex-Rajah of Baratkand will gain his favour. No new Rajah was assigned.
The Rajah of Kadesh was thanked, even though he didn't give us 100% of his backing.
In Peshmir, the Rajah was thanked for helping... and how about heping next time?
The Rajah of Gunjab could only be consoled for having a very hard time. He lost his capital twice, after all.
In Nagpuri, the Maharajah was criticised for how well he did when ordered to attack Darokin. He wasn't punished, since he was just following orders.
Turia and I had a great time on that trip. And it has been very useful, to get a much better feel for the country as a whole. Besides, now I have teleport coordinates to the palaces of all of the Rajahs in Sind.
Then the rewards were handed out.
In absentia, Xenith would have his condition of helping satisfied, that of educating the people about dragons, as well as discouraging the ruthless hunting of them.
First of all, being hung rewarded some of the Rajadhirajahs men.
The adventurers have been rewarded. They get to visit the magic armoury. They look stoked.
Lord Garen has received reward by way of special trading conditions for the Kingdom of Karameikos. Jokana received a cunningly cut rose, made out of a single piece of emerald. A small fortune in a single trinket.
By way of reward for us, my companions get to request what they like, and if it can be satisfied, then that is what they receive. Already Lani has received a ring of fire resistance, and Gurzurk has obtained an item to protect against the inquisitive nature of some spells (although he's decided not to tell the party this). Melany has arranged for shrines to Hermes (under a more Sindhi name) to be set up all over Sind.
For myself, well, now I'm Rajah Kvana the Grey of Baratkand. I knew there was a reason why I liked Chandra.
The ensuing party was quite wild. I had to fend off a number of courtiers, including a number of rather young and attractive looking women. They'll eventually learn not to bother.
Darokin is quite pleased with this outcome. I imagine Legionate Kalemi has much standing in the eyes of his superiors. He won't receive a promotion, as he's basically reached the highest rank he could expect to reach, given his special portfolio.
I have given a bonus of 30000 gold to Lord Garen, which seems entirely reasonable.
I did intend to give the party some money, but since the coffers in Baratkand are empty, that doesn't look likely to happen. Instead, I've given them over 20 potions, and we'll have to allocate this Girdle of Many Pouches we'd forgotten about.
Kiritan was returned, in a coffin. Chandra ordered him hung anyway. It's the principle of the matter.
A request has been granted to determine whether the Karimari would like their dead returned. They helped out many years ago, and would not have received any thanks.
All in all, life seems good!
Now we must decide what to do next. Unfortunately, I expect I will be too busy with getting to know my new subjects to be able to participate in the next adventure.
There are two options that I know of. Try to find some place that Zim is interested in, or clear the ruins in Davania of undead. Personally, I would like to go on both adventures, but I must abstain from at least the one.
I feel a moral obligation to help in Davania. Hopefully the party is willing to wait on that point. Perhaps help Zim first, and then clear the city in Davania.
I'm looking forward to spending quality time with Turia. I think it's time we stopped using those herbs now.